a milli

Do Christian colleges teach courses on how to recognize when Biblical prophesies are fulfilled?

apumic

That's a kind of ambiguous and simultaneously to specific of a question to answer across all Christian colleges. Many schools offer theology and biblical studies coursework that might hit on such things but in a blanket sense, I couldn't say. Additionally, not all students are likely to take those courses, so your question is a bit broad, really!

I would say the integration of theology into how courses are taught is a major difference, as is the emphasis on relationships and community at many Christian colleges.

a milli

Isn't the messiahship of Jesus Christ, by definition, the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy? How can a school be Christian if it doesn't hit upon the foundational elements of the religion?

jasoninpines

They teach you incorrect facts, such as the world being 4,000 years old. (via Liberty Univ.)

apumic

Yes, technically speaking, it would be; however, you asked whether students are taught "how to recognize when Biblical prophesies are fulfilled." That's a pretty broad question, really, so I'm not really sure it can be well-answered for a single college much less for the entire spectrum of Christian colleges and universities.

Jason, that may be the case at some schools; however, such a broad sweeping, blanket statement is clearly unfounded.

Zetesis

apumic is right. What Christian Colleges teach varies widely from school to school, depending on their specific affiliations or denominational ties. Schools such as Calvin, Biola, Wheaton, SPU, Whitworth, etc., would have different takes on biblical prophecy. There are just different ways they are read and interpreted throughout the Christian world. Know the flavor of the school before you go.

gadad

This answer, while not what you were asking, is as valid a response as those above. Christian colleges tend to take matters of faith - that which cannot be empirically proved or disproved - and present them as fact in settings usually devoted to the pursuit of knowledge that is based on observation and experimentation. For that reason, they tend to have no credibility among many of us (I say that as a Christian myself), and we tend to see graduates of Christian colleges as not truly possessing higher educations. I would have a significant disinclination to hire a graduate of a Christian college for a job - not because of any faith-based bias - but because I'd have to assume that the person would have a seriously-flawed concept of what constitutes legitimate critical thought. I'm not trying to be insulting here, just very frank and very real.

Hunt

But even in terms of what gadad says, not all Christian schools are created equal. At some, doctrine is taught, but only in religion classes, while at others it is incorporated into all the curriculum.

gadad

Thanks Hunt - I'm referring to the latter. The fact that a college is denominational does not necessarily mean that its affiliation impacts intellectual freedom on that campus. But if an academic goal of a college's curriculum is indeed to teach how to recognize when Biblical prophesies are fulfilled, then it's not going to be an institution whose degrees are viewed as legitimate by most of society.

apumic

Truth is, I'm not sure that the top graduates of the more moderate (read: liberal) Christian institutions would really care. What I value most about my education and about the education of those from my alma mater is the amount they care for others. Money isn't the "road to happiness" people expect it to be, but I would argue that serving others is continually fulfilling, even if it is hard work.

It should also be noted that the best Christian schools don't teach faith unconditionally. They teach just as many things that challenge students' ideas and do make them think critically about what they believe. (btw... in terms of critical thinking, I've consistently received commendations from profs at public universities I've worked with and scored in the top 10% across the board on my GRE... one's education at a university is only a piece of the picture -- assuming my university's approach was flawed, of course.) Additionally, Christians schools (and other smaller private institutions) have the advantage of giving students more opportunities to make the best of their education with much more access to professors, smaller labs with more direct mentoring by professors, and so forth.

Finally, I have actually found that most employers in my field (mental healthcare) look very well upon graduates of a Christian school. My school has a good name in the area (which obviously helps), but I think having graduated from there tells them that I am likely to have more than a liberal arts education -- that is, that I am likely to also have a more personable/amicable manner. Our pre-med program has been very successful in getting grads into med school for the same reason -- med schools like that our graduates, while possessing strong knowledge in the prerequisite sciences, have a soft, clinical, good bedside manner to them. They are able to be sociable human beings. Such "soft skills" are one thing that (certain) Christian schools do an excellent job of developing. A talented student can learn the content material for most any course straight out of a textbook and test out of the course at a university level; however, that same person would be unlikely to learn the more practical parts of the course through the textbook. He or she would miss out on the discussions with the professor. That is something that smaller class sizes and institutions certainly do more of than the larger, more prestigious institutions (ever attended a class at UC-Berkeley? I have).

Edit: Just a thought... research I read awhile back actually showed that more employees are dismissed for their lack of interpersonal skills than any other reason -- including job performance!

NikkiiL

I know that my employer and even the professors of my Bachelor's program (which is Business Administration) haven't looked down on me just because I hold my Associates Degree from Liberty University (even once they learn my Associates is in Religion). In fact, I have had numerous professors point out the well-rounded point of view I bring into the classroom...and my employer enjoys the interpersonal relationship I am able to have with my students.

In response to the OP...it really depends on the course you want to take. A course like Intro to Old or New Testatment is going to cover the proven Biblical prophecy's such as the birth of Jesus or Joel. Some Christian institutions will have specialty prophetic courses, such as ones that only cover Messianic prophecy or End Time prophecy. Typically, these courses are not part of the regular curricullum but might be electives (unless on is seeking a religous degree).

Also, when religious courses are taught, there is typically (at many schools) a general consensus on what is deemed correct and what is deemed false, but most theorys are completely covered. For example, in my biology course at Liberty, we spent just as much time studying the scientifically accepted theorys for creation as we did on the Biblical theory of creation. In the religion core classes (Intro to New Testament, for example) we covered many beliefs that exist within the Christian tenant...I even found myself disagreeing with the instructor from time to time...but my disagreements were met with openness and a willing to discuss (not debate) the reasoning for the different beliefs.

Quite honestly, one really has to look at the Christian institution in its entirity..een talking to former students. Some may be very closed minded....others may be willing to discuss differences of opinions without belittling the individual. You definately have to do your homework before firmly deciding for or against a Christian institution.

Whistle Pig

In answer to the original question, the character Curley clearly pointed Billy Crystol sp? to the answer. One thing. That's it.

But unlike other institutions of many ilks, Christian colleges are not left to the whims and devices of their faculty or even their trustees as to their "one thing." It's been pre-determined. Now if the goofs could only stick to the script.

Pawn_H7

They teach good brainwashing.

I love this site: The Rebelution

a milli

Thanks for your insights, especially apumic and gadad - I was looking for info on how literally or symbolically Christian schools treat scripture, I now understand that in America it seems to be to various degrees depending on the school.

Whistle Pig

Pawn_H7 ...you're right on. A great site. But tough for most of today's brainwashed boys n girls to swallow.

Surely JC wasn't such a tough dude! I'm afraid he was. We all should be afraid he was ...

But that's what makes this thread and its questions possible. After all, didn't slick billy clinton pose the notion of "well, it depends on what you're meaning of 'is' is. "